There are circadian rhythms of photosynthesis, but it is not known how the circadian clock regulates the photosynthetic apparatus.

2. How does the circadian clock co-ordinate cell signalling and membrane transport?

Membrane systems are a crucial focus in plants for abiotic stress responses, photosynthesis, water fluxes and signal transduction.

3. How is the circadian clock tailored to physiologically-relevant cell types?

A small number of cell types in plants have a disproportionately large impact on water use and stress tolerance. This includes the stomatal guard cell and root endodermis. We are investigating how circadian regulation in these cell types optimizes plant performance because the environment is characterized by 24 h cycles of water availability.

These images show circadian changes in the activity of the promoter of a circadian clock gene in Arabidopsis thaliana.